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Mana MP Barbara Edmonds is the Labour Party’s new finance spokesperson after Grant Robertson announced his resignation from politics earlier today.
The appointment effectively moves Edmonds, the MP for Mana, up to number four in the Party, from 11th place and adds infrastructure to her finance role.
Edmonds entered politics in 2020 after winning the Mana seat in Wellington following Kris Faafoi’s resignation. .
Of Samoan and Solomon Islands heritage, the specialist tax lawyer has worked in both the public and private sector and was promoted in 2023 into the Labour cabinet appointed as Minister for Internal Affairs, Economic Development and Pacific Peoples.
Speaking to the media today, leader of the opposition Chris Hipkins says,” She will be a fantastic Finance spokesperson and I’m looking forward to working closely with her in this role.”
The mother of eight won with a majority of 7,324 votes over National party candidate Frances Hughes in the 2023 general election.
Robertson’s resignation is expected to take effect next month and he’s likely to take up a senior admin role at Otago University in Dunedin.
